Tape-measure.



L. L. JOSEPH.

TAPE MEASURE.

APPLICATION r1131) 11111.19. 1910.

$59350, Patent-ed May 31,1910.

LOUIS II. JOSEPH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TAPE-MEASURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 31, 1910.

Application filed. January 19, 1910. Serial No. 538,908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS L. JOSEPH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tape-Measures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in tape-measures.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale taken on a plane through the center of the device, showing the operative parts in the position in which the spring drum is frictionally held; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the operative parts in the position in which the spring drum is free to rewind the measuring tape; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the top of the case looking at the lower side thereof; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device; Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the body part of the device; and Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the spring and tapecarrying drum.

The inclosing case comprises a sheet-metal top 1, secured in any suitable way to the upper rim of a cylindrical sheet-metal cupshaped body part 2, having an opening 3 in the side for the passage of the tape. The bottom 6 of this body part has an arcshaped slit therein, by which is formed a circular tongue-portion 4, from which are punched up two adjacent parts 8, 8, which serve as a hub for the drum 7 and also as parts of the friction releasing mechanism to be described later. The sheet-metal top 1, has an arc-shaped slit therein (see Fig. 3) to form a round free tongue 5, which may have a central depression therein, connected to the top by a narrow neck. The sheet metal of which the top 1 and bottom 6 are composed has sufficient permanent resiliency to enable the tongue portions 4 and 5 to act as springs.

Resting on the tongue portion 4: is a cylindrical cup-shaped drum 7 with an annular rim 20 at the top. .This drum may be stamped or drawn in a single piece, and has a perforation 21 in its bottom through which pass the parts 8 to which is secured an end of the spiral spring 9, whose other end is secured to the drum, as by passing its end through the slits 22.

Wound about the drum and having one end secured thereto, as by passing its end through the slit 23, is a tape-line 10, whose other end projects through the opening 3 and is provided with a finger-piece 11. The body-part 2 has secured to it in any suitable manner an outside bottom piece 12. The top and bottom may be covered with an imperforate outside covering of celluloid or other like material 13, which may be ornamented, if desired.

I/Vhile I have described the parts as made in particular way, I do not wish to be limited to these precise details of manufacture, as it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that there are other methods of making and assembling these parts.

The operation of the device is as follows :The spring tongue 4 normally holds the annular rim 20 of the spring drum 7 in frictional engagement with the top 1 under a pressure which permits a pull upon the tape to unwind it from the drum, but is suflicient to prevent the spring from rewinding it, until by pressure upon the cover opposite the tongue 5, that springtongue is moved inwardly to engage the parts 8 and push the tongue portion 4L downwardly,

thereby releasing the rim of the drum from its frictional engagement, whereupon the spring rewinds the tape, the tongue 5 returning to its normal position as soon as released.

It will be noted that the device is composed of a small number of parts, each of simple construction and capable of manufacture at small cost, and that when the parts are assembled, the operating parts are all entirely inclosed and can be operated by pressure upon the imperforate outside covering of the casing.

I claim 1. A tape holder comprising a rotary spring-actuated tape-carrying drum, a casing for said drum having a friction surface within it, a resilient support for said drum arranged to force the drum into frictional engagement with said surface, a resilient portion in the wall of the casing, and an extension projecting from said support into proximity to said resilient portion whereby the drum can be released from its frictional engagement.

2. A tape holder comprising a rotary spring-actuated tape-carrying drum, a casing for said drum, a resilient support for said drum arranged to force the drum into frictional engagement with the wall of the casing, a resilient portion in the wall of the the drum which extension projects from said support into proximity to said resilient portion whereby the drum can be released from its frictional engagement.

"In testimony whereof, I afiix my signa ture in presence of two Witnesses.

LOUIS L. JOSEPH.

Witnesses Jos. KoMoRoUS, -Jr., MAX JOSEPH. 

